Prefabricated brace for loading boxcars

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated brace suited for use as a support in the loading of cargo stowed for transport in a cargo receiver of the type including a supporting floor having openings formed therein, characterized by a downwardly extended protrusion adapted to be received in a selected opening and having a horizontally aligned lip disposed at the lowermost end of the protrusion for engaging a horizontal surface adjacent to the selected opening, whereby the brace may be caused to be supported in both vertical and horizontal directions at selected positions along the floor of the receiver.

United States Patent [72] lnventor John D. Torosian 1,833,016 1 1/1931 Chandler 105/369S 4568 E. Michigan, Fresno, Calif. 93703 2,166,918 7/ 1939 McMullen et al 105/369B [21] Appl. No. 762,918 2,424,070 7/1947 105/369B [22] Filed Sept. 26,1968 2,514,466 7/1950 l05/369B [45] Patented June 1,1971 2,972,490 2/1961 0l5/376X 2,978,993 4/1961 105/374 3,070,042 12/1962 [OS/368T 1 PREFABIEICATED BRACE FOR LOADING 3,193,122 7/1965 Sauthoff 105/376X 2 Drawing Figs Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hofiman Attorney-Huebner and Worrel [52] U.S.Cl 105/369S, IDS/369B, 105/376 [51] lnt.Cl 861d 45/00 Of Search B, A prefabricated brace uited for use as a support 369 l 248/2l7, 243 in the loading of cargo stowed for transport in a cargo receiver of the type including a supporting floor having openings [56] References t formed therein, characterized by a downwardly extended UNITED STATES PATENTS protrusion adapted to be received in a selected opening and 1,974,050 9/1934 Keil 248/243 having a horizontally aligned lip disposedat the lowermost 3,172,634 3/1965 Squire 248/243 end of the protrusion for engaging a horizontal surface adl,'304,023 5/1930 Coleman 105/374 jacent to the selected opening, whereby the brace may be 1,499,229 6/1924 Lafiey 105/369B caused to be supported in both vertical and horizontal 1,613,057 1/1927 Ryerson 105/3 69S directions at selected positions along the floor of the receiver.

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sum 1 BF 2 DIJDDU ODD DUCID D CICICIDDUDUDD 10 R RR 24 5,2 JOHN D. TOROS/AN /N V[ N TOP A TTOPNEYS PREFAIBRICATED BRACE FOR LOADING BOXCARS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to structural support members and more particularly to prefabricated braces having a triangular configuration adapted for use in stowing cargo for transport, particularly in railway boxcars.

Cargo normally is loaded from the ends toward the center of a boxcar with approximately a 3 foot opening being provided along the transverse centerline of the car. Heretofore, it has been common practice to support cargo in boxcars by employing shoring or timbers cut and nailed into place in the opening for thus supporting cargo in a stowed configuration. The shoring thus constructed in situ has proven to be of a significant expense to shippers. This is particularly true in those instances wherein a boxcar is first loaded and then partially unloaded so that a broken load must be transported as a partial" to various destinations, since shoring procedures must be repeated each time the load is broken until the load finally has been distributed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention overcomes many of the aforementioned difficulties encountered in the storing or stowage of cargo through the use of prefabricated shoring or braces including a horizontal load supporting member disposed in a vertical attitude and supported through the use of a diagonally aligned beam and a downwardly extended lug having a horizontal shoulder member including a lip adapted to engage the floor of the cargo receiver thus to restrain the brace in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated brace for use in stowing cargo within boxcars having floating bulkheads.

Another object is to provide an improved support for stowing cargo in cargo receivers.

Another object is to provide a prefabricated structural member which may be repeatedly employed in shoring cargo for stowage and transport purposes.

Another object is to provide a simplified and economic structural member for supporting cargo in transporting configuration within railway cars, aircraft, ships, trucks and the like.

These together with other objects and advantages will become readily apparent by reference to the following description and claims in light of the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned plan view of a partially loaded boxcar including prefabricated braces embodying the principles of the present invention secured in a cargo supporting configuration within the boxcar.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation taken on line 22 of FIG. 1, illustrating an embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view taken at 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Turning now to FIG. 1, a plurality of braces 10 embodying the principles of the present invention are illustrated in their operative position relative to an hydraulically activated cargo compressor 12, commonly called a squeeze," and stowed cargo 14 disposed within a boxcar 16. The boxcar I4 is of well-known design and includes door openings 18 and a floor or deck 20. The floor of the boxcar further includes a plurality of rows of perforations or openings 22 disposed in parallel alignment. As is common practice, horizontally disposed, tu-

bular supports 24 are fixed to the floor 20 substantially flush therewith and serve to provide the required openings 22.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the brace 10 is abutted against squeeze 12 which, in turn, is sandwiched between the brace 10 and a sliding bulkhead 26 frequently referred to as a floating bulkhead. Each sliding bulkhead 26 is of a well-known design normally provided for use within refrigerated boxcars of the 45,000 series. However, prior to the present invention, the bulkheads 26 were not employed in securing cargo and normally were locked at either end of the boxcar in an inoperative attitude. In order that the bulkheads 26 be afforded manual displacement between the ends of the car, a plurality of track and roller devices are provided. Such mechanisms are well known and include bearing or supporting rollers 28 supported in horizontally aligned tracks 30 which extend the length of the overhead of the boxcars. Therefore, it is to be understood that the suspended bulkheads 26 may be manually displaced to either end of the car simply by forcing the doors to advance along the plurality of tracks 30.

As shown, the bulkheads 26 include locking pins 32 suitably mounted therein for reciprocation in vertical directions through an actuation of a pivoted linkage including a pivoted locking bar 34, whereby the ends of the pin 32 may selectively be seated in the openings 22 for positioning the bulkheads at selected locations along the length of the car.

It will be noted, particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the mechanism 12 includes aparallel linkage formed of a plurality of pivoted links 36 pivotally connected between opposing pairs of parallel bars 38 so that the bars 38 may be displaced in horizontal directions through a simple actuation or displacement of the linkage. Where desired, fillers or bumpers 39 formed of suitable timbers may be employed for protecting the bars 38. In order to achieve the desired pivoting of the levers 38, a reciprocating hydraulic ram 40 is provided. The ram 40 is connected with the links 36 and functions in a wellknown manner to drive and thus pivotally displace the parallel linkage for causing the linkage to open thus to separate the pairs of opposing pairs of bars 38 in a horizontal direction.

As shown, the brace 10 includes a vertically disposed member 46 having a load supporting surface 48 which engages the squeeze l2 and applies a laterally directed supporting force thereto. In order that the vertical member 46 may apply the force in a lateral direction, it is necessary that the member 46 be supported against lateral displacement. This support is achieved through the use of a tubular beam 50 extended diagonally from the uppermost end of the member 46 downwardly to terminate in a toe 52 which is to be seated in a selected opening 22 when the brace is operatively aligned.

In order that the beam 50 may be properly seated in order to support the vertical member 46 in a selected upright position, an adjustable coupling 54 is provided for varying the length of the beam. The coupling 54 includes a pivoted insert 56 pivotally coupled through a pivot pin 58 to a stub or base 60 welded to the member 46 near its uppermost end. As viewed in the drawings, the insert 56 is of a configuration adapted to be mated or inserted into the axial opening 62 of the beam 50. Once the insert 56 is received within the end portion of the beam 50 it is coupled thereto be means of pins 64 including a lockring 65 of well-known design.

While the toe 52 formed at the lowermost end of the beam 50 serves laterally to support the beam 50, and therefore the member 46, the lowermost end of the member 46 is addi tionally supported by a downwardly directed protrusion or doglike or lug member 66. The lug 66 is a welded member which extends downwardly from the member 46 and terminates in an enlarged head or shoulder portion 68.

The portion 68 includes a horizontally arranged shoulder surface 70, whereby the lug 66 is caused to serve to support the lowermost end of the member 46 against lateral displacement and, more importantly, against vertical displacement as a lateral force is applied to the member 46 by the separation of the squeeze 12. Once the toe 52 has been anchored in an opening 22, an horizontally directed force applied to the face 48 of the vertical member tends to rotate the brace about the toe 52 for urging the member 46 in a vertical direction. This displacement is effectively prevented by shoulder 70 of the lug 66 as it engages a lowermost horizontal surface of the tubular bar 24 adjacent to the receiving opening 22. Therefore, once the brace 10 is seated in the manner illustrated, the adjacent squeeze 12 may be hydraulically operated for its intended purpose without being displaced by the reaction of the stowed cargo.

While the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 is particularly suited for use in those instances wherein it is found desirable to adjust the vertical position of the member 46, it has been found practical to utilize additional embodiments such as those illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The embodiment illustrated in FlG. 5 and designated 72, is of an all welded design and includes a vertical member 76, corresponding in function to the member 46, a horizontal stringer 78 and a diagonal beam 80 which corresponds in function to the aforedescribed member 50. The horizontal stringer 78 is welded at its opposite ends to the lowermost end of the beam 76 and to the lowermost end of the diagonal support beam 80. The beam 80, in turn, is welded at its uppermost end to the uppermost end portion to the support member 76. Consequently, the prefabricated brace 72 comprises a unitary member which is nonadjustable, but which readily may be employed to support a squeeze 12 in a manner similar to that of brace 10.

Extending downwardly from the vertical support member 76 is a lug 82, which terminates in a head portion 84 and includes a horizontal shoulder surface 86, which corresponds to the aforedescribed surface 70 so that the lug 82 is permitted to function in a manner similar to the lug 66. In the interest of brevity, it is not deemed necessary to describe the operation of the lug 82 in detail in view of the prior discussion of the function of the lug 66. As is readily apparent from an examination of FIG. 5, the brace 72 is not provided with a downwardly directed protrusion corresponding to the protrusion 52 provided for the brace 10. This is because it has been found, in practice, that such protrusions may be dispensed with where the brace is a unitary member. However, if desired, such a member could be employed as the openings 22 are normally spaced at uniform distances.

Still another embodiment of the instant invention includes a prefabricated brace generally designated 90 having a member 92 extending upwardly and including a load supporting face 94 for engaging the squeeze 12.

As indicated in H0. 6, the vertical member 92 extends upwardly from the upper surface a horizontally disposed beam 96. The beam 96 serves, in effect, as a base upon which the member 92 is mounted and coupled thereto at the members lowermost end by a weld designated 98. A diagonal beam 100 extends rearwardly from the leading end of the horizontally disposed beam 96. The beam 100, in turn, is coupled to the horizontally aligned beam 96 and the vertically aligned member 92 by suitable welds 102. The beam 96, in practice, includes a downwardly extended lug 104 which extends from the leading end thereof. The lug 104 terminates in a head 106 which includes a horizontal shoulder surface 108 which functions in a manner similar to that of the shoulders of the lugs 68 and 82.

The brace shown in FIG. 6 is employed in those instances wherein space is severely limited and there is insufficient room for employing a prefabricated brace which includes a rearwardly and downwardly extending diagonal support beam, as the leading .end portion of the member 96 is to be received beneath the squeeze 12.

OPERATION It is believed that in view of the foregoing description, the operation of the device will be readily understood, however, it will be briefly reviewed at this point.

in operation, a boxcar is filled from the ends toward the cars center. This is achieved by introducing cargo through the openings 18. As the load or cargo is progressively expanded toward the center of the car, it may be necessary to squeeze" the load. This is achieved through the use of the sliding bulkheads 26, the squeeze 12 and the braces embodying the principles of the present invention.

In practice, the bulkheads 26 are positioned by sliding them along their tracks 30 on rollers 28 and into engagement with the cargo. Once the bulkheads 26 have been positioned against the load, the so-called squeeze 12 is positioned adjacent the lowermost ends thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bars 38 of the squeeze may include cushioning means or timbers 39. However, it is contemplated that these timbers 39 can be removed if damage to the braces is not contemplated, or if no means for supporting the timbers is provided.

Where a brace 10 is employed, insertion of the member 56 into the openings 62 of the beam 50 is effected so that the dog 66 may now be inserted into an opening 22 of the tubular support 24. Once the member 66 has been seated, it is necessary to seat the toe 52 in a rearwardly displaced opening 22 and then pin the coupling 54, employing the pins 64, to couple the beam 50 with the base 60 utilizing the pivoted insert 56. lf, however, a brace 72 is employed in shoring and stowing cargo, it is only necessary to insert the lug 82 into an opening 22 for engaging the surface 88 so the member 76 is caused to assume its upright operative position. Likewise, should a brace 90 be employed, it is only necessary to insert the lug 104 within an opening 22.

Once the braces are positioned against the cushioning timbers 39, the ram 40 is actuated for driving the links 36 so as to separate or laterally displace the pairs of bars 38. As the bars 38 are laterally displaced, the bulkhead 26 is forced against the load compressing the cargo 14 towards the opposing end of the boxcar 16. In practice, the load or cargo is squeezed" with a force of approximately 2,500 pounds p.s.i. (per square inch) as required under existing rail regulations. After the load has been squeezed, the lever 34 is manipulated driving the pin 32 into locking engagement with the openings 22. If desired, the braces employed in the squeezing operation may be removed, or, alternatively permitted to remain in their seated position for holding the cargo in place during subsequent transportation.

Once the load is broken down it may readily reassembled in an expeditious manner since there has been no destruction of the shoring.

In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the present invention provides a simplified method and means for shoring cargo within a cargo delivery space. While the embodiments of the invention have been described in conjunction with use relating to storage of cargo in railway boxcars, it is readily apparent that the braces may be employed in supporting cargo within any confined area wherein laterally directed force is required for support purposes, and wherein a horizontally disposed, vertically aligned supporting surface has been provided with suitable openings for receiving the various protrusions herein described.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

Having described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A unitary right angle brace to be employed as a support for a cargo squeeze employed in stowing cargo within boxcars of the type which include a floor having a plurality of tubular supports arranged in substantial parallelism fixed thereto, each support being provided with a plurality of longitudinally aligned openings formed therein, and a floating bulkhead adapted to be secured in engagement with the cargo through a plurality of pins extended therefrom and received within said openings comprising:

C. a laterally extended rigid beam extended from said member to the distal end of the diagonal support beam; and

D. a rigid right angle lug fixedly connected with the laterally extended beam including a depending body terminating in a laterally extended head, said body and head being dimensioned to be received within one of said openings of one of the tubular supports fixed to the floor of the cargo space in a manner such that the body and head are caused to lockingly engage the tubular support for releasably interlocking the brace with the floor for thereby securing the vertically oriented member against both vertical and lateral displacement. 

1. A unitary right angle brace to be employed as a support for a cargo squeeze employed in stowing cargo within boxcars of the type which include a floor having a plurality of tubular supports arranged in substantial parallelism fixed thereto, each support being provided with a plurality of longitudinally aligned openings formed therein, and a floating bulkhead adapted to be secured in engagement with the cargo through a plurality of pins extended therefrom and received within said openings comprising: A. a vertically oriented member including a substantially vertically disposed, unobstructed face for receiving in direct engagement laterally extended portions of a cargo squeeze; B. a diagonal support beam rigidly connected at a first end thereof with the vertically oriented member near the uppermost end thereof, and extended obliquely therefrom to be supported by the floor at its distal end for applying to the vertically oriented member a load supporting force including both horizontally and vertically directed force components as a laterally directed load is applied to said member through an operation of the cargo squeeze; C. a laterally extended rigid beam extended from said member to the distal end of the diagonal support beam; and D. a rigid right angle lug fixedly connected with the laterally extended beam including a depending body terminating in a laterally extended head, said body and head being dimensioned to be received within one of said openings of one of the tubular supports fixed to the floor of the cargo space in a manner such that the body and head are caused to lockingly engage the tubular support for releasably interlocking the brace with the floor for thereby securing the vertically oriented member against both vertical and lateral displacement. 